Cockfosters Show As Funny As Its Namesake

It's a tough gig when approximately 25% of the venue's atmosphere comes from the aroma of freshly-baked pizza, so when Dave Hill (no, not that one, no, not that one, yes, that one) arrives on stage at the somewhat subdued basement of Aces and Eights, he does so all guns blazing. Well, all guitars blazing anyway; he uses OTT axe licks to punctuate Steven Wright-esque deadpanning: "I'll buy it that SOME people were kung-fu fighting...".

It's a flying start to a show that's part sprint, part marathon; the Rich-Fulcher-but-more-likable-alike flits from a pithy one-liner about voyeurism to an extended monologue about a homeless guy chucking urine at him, and only once, as he nears the finish line, does Hill's schtick really flag (overwhelming guitar noise renders his erotic short story canon impotent). Fittingly, one of the funniest sections of the night is the American comedian's take on marathons, the hardest part of which is "shutting the fuck up about it afterwards".

The name of Hill's show, New York City Via Cockfosters, stems from the helpless snigger fit Hill experiences every time he gets on the tube at Heathrow, and the north London gnome sanctuary is name-checked over the speakers. The proceeds of the show, he says, will go towards a trip that finally takes him all the way to that hallowed corner of north London. Catch Dave Hill in Tufnell Park before his career ascends into higher echelons of the Borough of Enfield.

New York Via Cockfosters is on at Aces and Eights, 156-158 Fortess Road, Tufnell Park, until 24 April, with a different (and impressive — including Harry Hill) support act each night. Tickets £10. Londonist saw this show on a complimentary ticket.